Former US Congress member Jason Altmire has raised concern as the Republican Party moves towards isolationism and a retreat by the US in extending economic support to its African allies.
Speaking during a bipartisan webinar arranged by the US embassy on Tuesday evening, Altmire, who is a Democratic leader, said there is a concerning view among some, especially in the Republican Party, that the US should reassess its role of exercising leadership around the world.
He said some Republicans were of the view that extending the hand of friendship and support to US allies, specially in Africa, economically and otherwise must be relooked.
“There is a view among some that that is not America's role, that it should be America first. That's a statement you will hear a lot. When they talk about America first, that's what they're saying. They're saying we should look at ourselves within our own borders and think less about America's role around the world and supporting developing nations in Africa and others,” he said.
The US is preparing for its elections in November which will see former president Donald Trump going up against the Democrat candidate, expected to be current President Joe Biden.
The relationship between Washington and Pretoria was tested in 2023 during the Russian war in Ukraine. The two countries, which have shared trade relations spanning decades, have also been on opposite ends concerning the war waged by Israel against the people of Palestine.
Altmire said foreign policy will be an issue in the November election, including the US's relationship with China, another trading partner of South Africa.
He said US foreign policy in the months to come will impact China's relationships with developing economies, alleging China would use any retreat by the US from its African allies as leverage to build stronger ties with those countries.
“China pays very close attention to America's relationships with other nations. If we decide to withdraw our support from nations, China is going to be right there. They're going to go in and build friendships. They're already doing that and supporting countries economically, and building alliances based on America's decision to withdraw the alliances.
“I have great concern about the move towards isolationism. Former president Trump supports tariffs on imported goods from other nations. As it relates to our relationship with other nations, like South Africa and the continent of Africa, I'm hopeful isolationism will not prevail, and America will continue to exercise leadership in that regard,” he said.
Republican leader in the Louisiana House of Representatives Julie Emerson said South Africa's role as the leading economy on the continent meant Washington would remain its ally.
“I don't personally believe with the election of Trump or Biden our policy or relationship with South Africa would change significantly,” she said.
A delegation of South African envoys led by minister of trade and industry Parks Tau will visit the US to engage with its Congress, Senate and Washington to solidify trade relations after the recent elections.
Speaking at the cabinet lekgotla last weekend, Tau said the team would discuss a range of issues with the US leaders.
“I am convinced, based on the updates I have received so far, we will be able to articulate our position as a country and build on the historic engagements that have been there. I have been assured there have been cordial engagements between the South African government and the US government, including the legislatures,” he said.
Tau was responding to journalists on the back of a bipartisan bill received by Congress which requires the US president to make determinations about the relationship between the US and South Africa.
The bill stated that no later than 30 days after the bill's enactment, the US president must certify to Congress a determination whether South Africa has undermined US national security or foreign policy interests. This determination must also be released publicly, it said.
“The president must also report to Congress a comprehensive review of the US-South Africa bilateral relationship,” it said.
South Africa stands to lose a key treaty, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which is up for review in 2025.
The country is in the third term of its Agoa trade agreement with the US and is awaiting approval of its application for an early extension.
The pact provides duty-free product coverage for 1,835 products across Sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2021, SA’s total goods exports to the US amounted to $15.4bn. Agoa benefits include job creation in agriculture and manufacturing, export earnings and economic development.
The US Congress has been hostile towards Agoa, which provides duty-free access to American markets for goods from designated Africa countries. Pretoria had in the past failed to have discussions with Republicans and Democrats in Congress, instead focusing its energies on Biden’s administration.
Former US embassy spokesperson David Feldmann previously told the Mail & Guardian there was ongoing dialogue with Pretoria to facilitate market access for US exports, particularly in sectors such as agriculture.
Despite some congressional members frowning on South Africa's role in charging Israel with genocide in the International Court of Justice, Altmire said it plays much less of a role in Americans' dissenting views about the war.
“A much less significant factor in public policy is the way other nations have approached that issue because we are having the debate in a very public way in the country, within our own borders.”
Emerson said: “I think on the Republican side, [former] president Trump was clearly always very interested in peace in the Middle East. He was responsible for the Abraham accords. No matter which side the election falls on, that will be a very hot topic and major policy issue in the next presidency.”
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